Cathay Pacific to gradually increase capacity after crew quarantine rules lifted

(Reuters) – Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd mentioned it could steadily enhance flying capability within the coming months after the Hong Kong authorities on Friday lifted guidelines requiring passenger crew to quarantine in a resort for 3 days on return to town.

The onerous crew quarantine guidelines had made rostering tough and had been a serious obstacle to the airline returning to extra regular operations.

Cathay’s passenger capability was at simply 12.4% of pre-pandemic ranges within the month of July, though its cargo capability was at 51% partially as a result of cargo crews had been not required to quarantine.

Earlier than the passenger crew guidelines had been lifted, Cathay forecast it could attain 25% of pre-pandemic capability by the top of the yr.

Cathay mentioned it could proceed so as to add again flights as shortly as possible, however it could take time to rebuild capability because it includes a considerable quantity of crew coaching and reactivating saved plane.

“This, mixed with different operational complexities, implies that capability can solely be elevated steadily over a interval of a number of months,” the airline mentioned in an announcement on Saturday that didn’t present up to date capability steering.

Cathay has mentioned it plans to rent an extra 4,000 workers to fill operational wants over the subsequent 18 to 24 months as journey rebounds, having lower greater than 6,000 jobs throughout the pandemic.

Pilot attrition has been greater than regular due to the onerous quarantine necessities, mixed with everlasting pay cuts of as a lot as 58%.

The Hong Kong authorities mentioned on Friday that crew members would nonetheless want to stay remoted of their resort rooms when on layovers exterior town.

(Reporting by Jamie Freed in Sydney)